Italy 1929-R 50 centesimi
This specimen was lot 34071 in Heritage sale 3098 (New York, January 2022), where it sold for $1,740. The catalog description[1] noted, "Italy: Vittorio Emanuele III 50 Centesimi 1929-R MS67 NGC, Rome mint. A fleeting rarity of which only 50 pieces were struck in total, a number that also applies to all other mintages produced annually from 1929 through 1935. Preserved at the cusp of technical perfection, with fully struck designs decorated in glowing mint luster. Only of only three selections certified by NGC to date, and the finest there graded by two points." This type was struck for the kingdom of Italy 1919-35. Vittorio Emanuele III succeeded his father Umberto upon the latter's assassination in 1900, but by 1929 he was the helpless tool of the Fascists, whose symbol appears on the reverse. The issues of 1919-25 are readily available but those of 1926-35 are rare, being struck for presentation only. The 1929 is only available with the reeded edge.
Recorded mintage: 50.
Specification: 6 g, nickel, 24 mm diameter, with plain (KM 61.1) or reeded (KM 61.2) edge.
Catalog reference: KM 61.2, Mont-251 (R3), Pag-811.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Gigante, Fabio, Gigante 2016: Catalogo Nazionale delle Monete Italiano Dal '700 All'Euro, 24a ed. Varese, Italy, 2015.
- Montenegro, Eupremio, Montenegro 2015: Manuale del Collezionista di Monete Italiane, 30 ed., Torino, Italy: Montenegro s.a.s., 2014.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, NYINC World Coins Signature Auction 3098, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
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